I graduated from Williamstown High School in 1999, went on to receive a bachelor’s degree, an MBA, and am a dissertation shy of completing my doctorate. I bring this education history up because I was incredibly disappointed to see the reactions of those from Williamstown to the comments of the current principal, Scott Lang, about the realities of the prevalence of education in that town.

In the March 28 edition of The Times Argus, Lang made the following comments in regards a program that allowed students to engage with the Community College of Vermont: “We’re a rural, pretty poor community with not a lot of families who are educated. So for many of our kids it’s a first experience.” Immediately, the town faithful gathered their pitchforks on social media, started screaming that these comments were inappropriate, that he was calling them stupid, he should be fired, etc.

Neither of my parents graduated from college, so when I graduated at the top of my Williamstown High School class and planned to study at Boston University, it was a big deal. My grandmother told me that she had always wanted to go to college but never knew how, so I was going to do it for the both of us. But when I actually started classes, every single day was a struggle because of the school system I came out of. I was not remotely prepared.

To those in Williamstown who are so quick to judge: This isn’t about you. This is about your children. This principal was exactly right in his comment, and I’m glad he’s trying to expose your kids to college. It’s the right thing to do and will do nothing but help them. You should be thanking him.